Book holder



March 17, 1931. w, A. VOLKMAR BOOK HOLDER Filed June 29, 1929 INVENTOR WEVZl/smar ATTORNEY Patented Mar. 17, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE WILLIAM A. YOLKMAB, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR TO AMERICAN TELEPHONE AND TELEGRAPH COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK BOOK HOLDER Application filed June 29,

This invention relates to book holders, an object of the invention being to provide a holder for a series of books, or binders to contain the books such as telephone directories or the like, so that they occupy a small space and are separated in such a manner as to be conveniently accessible for use.

Another object of the invention is to provide a mountlng for the books so that they may be pulled out of the easing into position for use and automatically returned into the casin upon being released.

A f urther object is to provide a mechanism for the retention of the books to prevent their loss or displacement.

The novel features which are considered characteristic of this invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention itself, both as to organization and method of operation, together with other objects and advantages thereof, will be further explained in the following detailed description having reference to the accompanying drawing consisting of the following figarea:

Figure 1 is a transverse section of the improved device.

Fig. 2 is a perspective View thereof.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the ledge, showing a book supported in opened position thereon and ready for use.

Referrin to the drawing, in which the improved evice is illustrated, the numeral 5 is attached to the casing therefor. This casing is preferably of wood although it may be of other suitable material, and is adapted to sup ort and partially enclose a series of books or t e like. The casin is substantially rectangular in form, and its front side is open to permit the withdrawal and replacement of the books.

A plurality of partitions 6 are provided between the side walls of the casing 5 to form as many book compartments and of such width as may be desired. It will be understood that although in the present instance the improved book holder is equipped with but four compartments, this number may be reduced or increased as may be required. The partitions are provided with inclined 1929. Serial No. 374,910.

cut-away portions at their upper forward edges 8 to permit the insertion of a su port or ledge 9 for the books when with rawn from t e casing and opened. This ledge provides a resting position for the books so that they may be supported thereon at an angle at which they may be readily and easily consulted. The forward edges of the partitions are contoured at the portions to which the numerals 10 are attached to permit the exposed top portions of the books or directories to be grasped. Such books or directories may be thus pulled forward and upward so that they may be rested on the ledge 9 and opened thereon, as is more clearly indicated in Fig. 3. The upper portions 11 of the partitions adjacent the led e are provided with outwardly curved surfaces. These curved surfaces so engage the covers of a book that when the book drops after being released by the user, it contacts with the curved surfaces and is closed thereby. The closed book then automatically slides back into its compartment by avity, as will be presently described. The out edges of the partitions may have semi-circular strips of metal, such as aluminum or the like, aflixed thereto to take the wear and tear involved in the use of the books.

A flat, elongated carrier 12 is provided for the book in each of the compartments. These carriers may be composed of wood and provided on one side with a metal facin A metal strip 13 is mounted on this meta facing, and is suitably secured to the carrier. The strip 13 is provided at its ends with flanges 14 which extend outwardly from the carrier, and are provided with openings through which pins 15 register. One of the pins is fixed to its flange, while the other pin engages the threaded opening of its flange and is removable. A rod 16 is pivotally mounted on these pins by-means of its loop ends which extend in a direction perpendicular to the rod. The rod 16 is inserted at an approximate central oint between the assembled pages of the 00k or directory, and the back thereof is held by such rod against the metal facing of the carrier 12, as is more clearly illustrated in Fig. 3.

A shoe member 17 has its lower portion suitably secured to the top of the carrier 12 by bolts or the like. The shoe member has a substantially rectangular upper portion which is Offset from a lower portion. The outer end of the upper portion of the shoe member is somewhat rounded, and a pin 18 extends transversely through the upper portion of the shoe member so that the ends of the pin form trunnions. Rollers 19 are mounted on these trunnion members, and slidingly engage a longitudinal channel track member 20 and permit the shoe to reciprocate therein. The channel track member 20 is provided with a longitudinal slot 531 terminating near the front closed end of the track. This construction allows the rotation of the upper portion of the shoe 17 about the front end of the track member without interference, when the carrier 12 is tilted to the position shown at the right of the series of carriers in Fig. 2. The channel track member is provided with coin aiding side apertures 22 toward its rear end through which access may be had to driye the pin 18 through the shoe member 17 in the operation of initially mounting it in the channel track member. The channel track member is secured at its front bevelled end to the ledge 9 of the casing, and said track member is slightly inclined toward the rear end. A metal strap 23 is secured at one extremity to the rear end of the channel track member and at the other extremity of the strap is provided a hook portion which is held by a bracket 24 secured to the back wall of the casing 5. A spring butter or stop member is attached by its flange to the top surface of the strap 23 and bolts extending through these elements and through the chan nel track-member serve to secure them together in fixed relation. The stop member 25 limits the rearward travel of the shoe member 17 in the channel track so that the book or directory which is carried thereby is restricted to a definite point in its entrance into its compartment in the casing. The book is thus prevented from contacting with the rear wall of the casing when it is returned thereto. A sutlicient top portion of the book, however, is permitted to be exposed in the front part of the casing so that the book ma y be grasped and withdrawn from the casing and into position on the led e.

\Vhile the arrangements 0 this invention have been illustrated as embodied in a oer tain specific form which has seemed desirable, it will be understood that it is capable of embodiment in many and. widely varied forms without. departing from the spirit as defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A book holder, comprisin a casing, a plurality of partitions therein orming compartments to receive books or the like, supporting means for the books reciprocally mounted in each compartment, and means pivotally associated with the supporting means whereby they may be rotated to a resting position on the casing and automatically returncd to their compartments upon being released.

2. A book holder, comprising a casing, a plurality of partitions therein forming compartments to receive books or the like, a carrier for the books mounted in each compartment, a track member mounted in each compartment, and means reciprocally and pivot ally associated with the track number and attached to said carrier whereby it may be moved from its normal position in a. compartment and, rotated to a resting position on the casing thereon, said carrier being automati' cally returned to its compartment upon its release.

3. A book holder, comprising a casing, a plurality of partitions therein forming compartmcnts to receive books or the like, a carrier for the books mounted in each compartment, a track member mounted in each compartment: and having a longitudinal slot, and shoe member reciprocally movable in said slot and pivotally associated with the track member, said shoe member being attached to said carrier whereby it may be moved from its normal position in a compartment and rotated to a resting position on the casing, said carrier being automatically returned to its compartment upon its release.

4. A book holder, comprising a casing, a plurality of partitions therein forming compartments to receive books or the like, a car rier for the books mounted in each compartment, an inclined channel track member mounted in each compartment, a shoe member reciprocally mounted in and pivotally associated with the track member, said shoe member being attached to said carrier Whereby it may be moved from its normal position in a compartn'lent and rotated to a resting position on the casing, said carrier being automatically returned to its compartment upon its release, and a stop member associated with the track member for limiting the movement of the carrier into its compartment.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification June, 1929.

WILLIAM A. VOLKMAR. 

